Beta thalassemia trait

Peripheral smear from a patient with beta thalassemia trait. The field shows numerous hypochromic and microcytic red cells (thin arrows), some of which are also target cells (blue arrows).

High-power view of a normal peripheral blood smear. Several platelets (arrowheads) and a normal lymphocyte (arrow) can also be seen. The red cells are of relatively uniform size and shape. The diameter of the normal red cell should approximate that of the nucleus of the small lymphocyte; central pallor (dashed arrow) should equal one-third of its diameter.